Human Rights

by JOE CROCETTA / staff photographer enlargement MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Two years ago, Hedgesville High School senior Michael Morrow attended a human rights conference in Geneva, Switzerland. What he learned was jarring. In China, couples have a cap on how many children they are allowed to have. In the Ukraine, orphanages are overcrowded and poorly funded due to violence and neglect. "It really opened my eyes about the rights we have and what so many of us take for granted," Morrow said.

Battle of the bands It's time to rock out loud! Battle of the Bands at North Hagerstown High School will be from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. The North High junior class is sponsoring and hosting the event. Funds raised at the event go to the NHHS Class of 2009 to help with field trips, prom and other class programs. The Battle of the Bands will be at North High, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, Hagerstown. Admission is $5. Poet speaks at Hood FREDERICK, Md. - How individuals can use their voices and skills to promote social justice will be the topic of a lecture by poet, critic and human rights activist, Marjorie Agosn at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Hood College.

“Embracing Our Oneness” was the theme of Church Women United in Washington County's annual meeting and human rights celebration Sept. 24 at Washington Square United Methodist Church in Hagerstown. The three individuals honored were Thelma Brewer, Marybelle Hose and the Rev. Edward L. Poling. The Valiant Women Award was presented to Brewer and Hose, who have given service to their church and community and who live the gospel message in their everyday life. Poling was honored with the Human Rights Award.

A man accused of murder in Hagerstown in 2006 has asked a European human-rights court to prevent his extradition from the United Kingdom to the United States. Joshua Edwards, 21, has been in custody in the United Kingdom since January 2007, fighting extradition to Maryland, according to a European Court of Human Rights statement of charges. Authorities in Washington County have accused Edwards of fatally shooting Jackson Agustin Rodriguez in a Washington Gardens apartment.

A trip to Honduras reminded 16-year-old Andrew Jacob Atwell to be more appreciative of his "stuff. " In January, Andrew — or AJ, as his family calls him — went on an 11-day missionary trip to El Progresso, Honduras, to help build a home for a mother and her nine children. It was a country he and his family knew nothing about. "I barely knew any Spanish," said AJ, who attends Zion Reformed United Church of Christ in Hagerstown. There's more than meets the eye here.

By MARLO BARNHART Staff Writer Wishing to create a "jail without bars," Japanese prison reformers toured the Roxbury Correctional Institution south of Hagerstown Wednesday to check out its walls of glass. The delegation of five and an interpreter visited Housing Unit 4, where special laminated glass has replaced some bars. The strength of the glass, with a core of polycarbonate wrapped in glass, is said to resist blunt impact and bullets. "Our emphasis is on human rights in our jails and prisons," said Hiromi Nakaoji, who interpreted for the group, which included Yakunori Takahashi, Japan's director of technical development and engineering.

Resident suggests speed humps WILLIAMSPORT --Â A Williamsport resident asked the Washington County Commissioners to help solve a speeding problem on Donelson Drive. During a joint meeting Tuesday between the commissioners and the Williamsport Town Council, Don Lantz said several motorists ignore the 25 mph speed limit on Donelson Drive between Tammany Manor Road and U.S. 11. "It's a very dangerous situation," Lantz said. "I'd hate to see what could happen there.

Abortion has become an increasingly demanding issue and many citizens spend countless hours rallying for support in their stand. Pro-life individuals are held together by one common concept - that all humans have an inherent right to life. More than 200 years ago, our Founding Fathers emphasized the honor and respect for human life by stating certain undeniable rights. These natural rights are universal and tie together all humans using the bind of life. It is imperative to understand that the fetus in a mother's womb, though unborn, is alive and is growing, developing and maturing.

Why is the U.S. afraid to confront China? To the editor: I find it interesting, but I am not surprised that President Obama and many American politicians are hellbent on chasing the president of Egypt out of office on the grounds that Egypt is not a democracy while at the same time we continue business as usual with China, a nation that is the most blatant and egregious abuser of human rights in...

FREDERICK, Md. - By introducing legislation to target hate groups, Del. Sue Hecht said she wants to dispel the perception that Western Maryland is a hotbed for the Ku Klux Klan. cont. from front page Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington, said Monday she will file a bill to make it a crime to wear a mask or hood during a public demonstration. "Let's unmask the Ku Klux Klan and bigotry. If hate groups want protection under our laws of freedom, let us be free to see their faces.

“Embracing Our Oneness” was the theme of Church Women United in Washington County's annual meeting and human rights celebration Sept. 24 at Washington Square United Methodist Church in Hagerstown. The three individuals honored were Thelma Brewer, Marybelle Hose and the Rev. Edward L. Poling. The Valiant Women Award was presented to Brewer and Hose, who have given service to their church and community and who live the gospel message in their everyday life. Poling was honored with the Human Rights Award.

Each year, Church Women United in Washington County presents a Human Rights Award to people who have demonstrated a personal involvement in the struggle for human rights. The 2011 recipients are Gaye McGovern and Vicki Sadehvandi. McGovern moved to Washington County in 1987 and established her insurance business. Prior to her move, her profession was in education, serving as a teacher, administrator and superintendent. McGovern has been honored by numerous community organizations for her commitment to community service.

Why is the U.S. afraid to confront China? To the editor: I find it interesting, but I am not surprised that President Obama and many American politicians are hellbent on chasing the president of Egypt out of office on the grounds that Egypt is not a democracy while at the same time we continue business as usual with China, a nation that is the most blatant and egregious abuser of human rights in...

A trip to Honduras reminded 16-year-old Andrew Jacob Atwell to be more appreciative of his "stuff. " In January, Andrew — or AJ, as his family calls him — went on an 11-day missionary trip to El Progresso, Honduras, to help build a home for a mother and her nine children. It was a country he and his family knew nothing about. "I barely knew any Spanish," said AJ, who attends Zion Reformed United Church of Christ in Hagerstown. There's more than meets the eye here.

Williamsport resident asks for help with speeding problem WILLIAMSPORT - A Williamsport resident has asked the Washington County Commissioners to help solve a speeding problem on Donelson Drive. During a joint meeting Tuesday between the commissioners and the Williamsport Town Council, Don Lantz said several motorists ignore the 25-mph speed limit on Donelson Drive between Tammany Manor Road and U.S. 11. "It's a very dangerous situation," Lantz said. "I'd hate to see what could happen there.

Resident suggests speed humps WILLIAMSPORT --Â A Williamsport resident asked the Washington County Commissioners to help solve a speeding problem on Donelson Drive. During a joint meeting Tuesday between the commissioners and the Williamsport Town Council, Don Lantz said several motorists ignore the 25 mph speed limit on Donelson Drive between Tammany Manor Road and U.S. 11. "It's a very dangerous situation," Lantz said. "I'd hate to see what could happen there.

An agreement signed Nov. 10 establishing a relationship between Washington County and a city in China did not have the full support of the Washington County Commissioners, according to Commissioner Kristin B. Aleshire. Aleshire said he was opposed to the relationship because of China's communist government and said the matter should have been brought to the commissioners for a vote before the agreement was signed. Commissioners President John F. Barr signed a document establishing the "friendship-city relationship" during a recent trip to China with Kaplan University officials.

BEIJING (AP) -- President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao promised a determined, joint effort to tackle climate change, nuclear disarmament and other global troubles yet emerged from their first full-blown summit Tuesday with scant progress beyond good will. After two hours of talks and a separate meeting over dinner the night before, the presidents spoke of moving beyond the divisiveness over human rights, trade and military tensions that have bedeviled relations in past decades.

A man accused of murder in Hagerstown in 2006 has asked a European human-rights court to prevent his extradition from the United Kingdom to the United States. Joshua Edwards, 21, has been in custody in the United Kingdom since January 2007, fighting extradition to Maryland, according to a European Court of Human Rights statement of charges. Authorities in Washington County have accused Edwards of fatally shooting Jackson Agustin Rodriguez in a Washington Gardens apartment.